You take your education seriously. We know. We've worked with lots of premed students, medical school students, and interns, and we've learned just how deeply you care about helping others and contributing to the public good.
None of us is perfect, though. It's also true that misunderstandings happen all the time. Sometimes, false accusations can happen as well. Whatever your situation, the Lento Law Firm is always on your side. We care about what you do, and we want to make sure you make it to the next level of your career. The world needs more quality physicians.
We don't just make promises, though. We back up our commitment to you with a deep knowledge of the law and a thorough understanding of Seattle University's administrative and judicial policies. Our Student Defense Team isn't just dedicated to protecting student rights. We're willing to fight to make sure you're treated fairly and that you get the very best possible resolution to your case.
What can we do for you? Call 888-535-3686 to find out, or take a few minutes right now and tell us a little about your situation.
Misconduct at Seattle University
Defending yourself starts with knowing exactly what you've been accused of doing. Far too many students assume that their innocence will be enough to see them through an investigation and a hearing. The fact is if you didn't commit the offense you've been accused of, you, more than anyone, need a clear understanding of the charges against you.
At Seattle University, there are three basic categories of offense.
- Academic Misconduct: First, you can be accused of violating the school's Academic Integrity policy. As the name implies, that policy has to do with how you complete your coursework. Cheating and plagiarism are explicitly prohibited, but any form of classroom dishonesty is treated as an offense.
- Disciplinary Misconduct: Your general campus conduct is monitored as closely as your course conduct. The Code of Student Conduct focuses on activities like underage drinking, hazing, and weapons possession.
- Sexual Misconduct: Finally, like all colleges and universities, Seattle University is accountable to Title IX. The federal government bars sexual discrimination and harassment on all educational campuses, and violations of the SU policy usually result in serious sanctions like suspension and dismissal.
Most students think about Seattle University's many rules and regulations in terms of which ones are more serious and which ones are less serious. Obviously, the threat of dismissal is about as serious as things can get for a student. A warning, though, won't cost most students much sleep at night.
As a pre-med student, though, you don't have the luxury of taking any allegation lightly. The real sanction, in your case, is always that notation that gets placed in your permanent record. Even a warning for plagiarism can keep you out of medical school.
What does taking an allegation seriously mean? It means making sure you're prepared, that you know the charges against you, and you're prepared for the investigation and hearing you face. It also means having the best possible help on your side. The moment you're accused of misconduct, it's vital you contact the Lento Law Firm to find out how we can help you defend yourself.
Misconduct Procedures
No one ever wants to be accused of misconduct at Seattle University. Investigations and hearings can be stressful. The good news, though, is that you do have the right to an investigation and hearing. SU cannot simply accuse you of breaking the rules and punish you. It must prove you committed an offense, and that means you have the opportunity to prove your innocence or explain your actions. In fact, the playing field is slanted in your direction. You are “innocent until proven guilty,” and you have a number of important due process rights designed to protect you.
- When you're accused of an offense, the university must decide the accusation is credible and actionable before it can pursue a formal charge against you.
- The university cannot conduct its investigations in secret. You are entitled to Notice of the Charges any time you're facing an official allegation.
- The university bears the burden of proof in your case. That means it must conduct an investigation. As part of that investigation, you have the right to give your side of the story, to offer evidence, and to suggest witnesses.
- Investigators are tasked with submitting a written summary of their findings. You must be allowed to review all evidence, and in some cases, you even have the right to raise objections about their report.
- Next, you have the right to defend yourself at a formal hearing. You may offer arguments to prove your innocence or explain your actions, and you may support those arguments with appropriate evidence, including witness testimony. Of course, the other side will offer evidence as well, but you get the chance to raise questions about that evidence, including cross-examining any witnesses against you.
- Decision-makers presiding over the case must be trained and unbiased. You are entitled to raise questions about any person you feel might be prejudiced against you.
- Additionally, these decision-makers must follow a legal standard when deciding your level of responsibility. They don't have to find you guilty “beyond a reasonable doubt,” but they must be more than fifty percent convinced you're Responsible before finding you guilty.
- Finally, you're entitled to appeal the hearing outcome if anything unfair occurred during the process, like a procedural error.
Unfortunately, Seattle denies you one especially important right in most misconduct cases—the right to an attorney. You can ask for an advisor, but you must choose someone from campus. The one exception is Title IX cases, where the government requires you to be allowed to choose your own advisor.
The Lento Law Firm is opposed to this SU policy. You should know, though, that no one can prevent you from consulting with someone from the Lento Law Firm, and the help we're offering extends far beyond sitting beside you in a hearing. We can work with you to uncover evidence, help you to identify your strongest arguments, draft documents on your behalf, suggest questions for witnesses, prepare you to respond to investigators, and coach you on how to present your case. We'll fight beside you step-for-step even if we never step one foot on the Seattle University campus.
Fighting for Your Future
Fighting a misconduct charge is never an easy proposition for anyone. As a pre-med student, though, you face special challenges. Beyond the complexities of the Seattle University judicial system, you have to worry about whether sanctions appear on your permanent record. Even if you are eventually cleared of wrongdoing, you have to worry about who might find out about the allegations and whether those allegations might interfere with med school recommendation letters. You have to keep a close watch on social media and make sure your reputation doesn't suffer online. It's an enormous amount of work to have to deal with on your own.
That's why the minute you suspect you might be in trouble, it's vital that you contact the Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team. We can negotiate with faculty and administrators if that's what's called for, but we can also be fierce in defending our clients.
Let us help you fight for your academic future. To find out more, contact the firm today at 888-535-3686. Or, fill out our online questionnaire.
